Cutie and the Boxer – DVD review

Enchanting documentary following ‘boxing painter’ Ushio and his wife Noriko

Zachery Heinzerling, 2013

Dogwoof

Ushio Shinohara became famous in the 1970s New York art scene as the “boxing painter”, but for years his works haven’t sold and he struggles to pay his rent.

Zachary Heinzerling’s enchanting documentary follows Ushio, now 80, as he prepares for his last exhibition, in which, for the first time, his wife Noriko will show her illustrations.

Through her charming autobiographical character “Cutie”, Noriko depicts the story of their tumultuous marriage, from living in poverty and Ushio’s alcoholism to the final discovery of her own artistic voice.

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